12102 ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PROGRAM APPLICANTS; PARTICIPANT CONTRACTS

12102.1 To be eligible to participate in the Program, an applicant shall:

1. (a) Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
2. (b) Meet the admission requirements for a participating educational institution or training program; and
3. (c) Be recommended for participation by a participating educational institution or training program based on the selection criteria enumerated in §§ 12103.2 and 12103.3.

12102.2 Applicants shall be selected for participation in the Program based on the following criteria:

1. (a) The applicant's relevant experience;
2. (b) The applicant's ability to successfully complete the necessary education, training, examination, and licensing, certification, or registration requirements to serve as a healthcare worker in a designated high-need healthcare career, which may be assessed based on a review of the applicant's history including previous education and experience;
3. (c) The applicant's ability to serve successfully as a healthcare worker in a designated high-need healthcare career, which may be assessed based on the applicant's work history and fitness for the intended healthcare provider role; and
4. (d) The applicant's commitment to serve in the District for at least two (2) years following their licensure, registration, or certification as a healthcare worker in a designated high-need healthcare career.

12102.3 Applicants may receive preferential consideration for any of the following selection criteria:

1. (a) Current residence in the District;
2. (b) Commitment to enroll or enrollment in an educational institution or program located in the District;
3. (c) Current residence in a Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Area as defined in D.C. Official Code § 7-751.01(4) and (5);

(d) Being immediately eligible and available for education or training;

(e) Commitment to serving for more than two (2) years in the District as a healthcare worker in a designated high-need healthcare career;

(f) Fluency in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, French, or Amharic; or

(g) A demonstrated desire to reside in the District.

12102.4 Each applicant selected to participate in the Program shall enter into a contract with the District, prior to and as a condition for the transfer of scholarship funds, agreeing to:

(a) Complete the necessary education, training, and examinations to become a healthcare worker in the District in a designated high-need healthcare career;

(b) Seek to obtain licensure, registration, or certification in the District immediately after completing the necessary education, training, and examinations;

(c) Serve a minimum of two (2) years in the District as a healthcare worker in a designated high-need healthcare career; and

(d) Provide information and reports on the applicant's participation in the Program as may be required by the District during the applicant's participation in the Program. For the purposes of this provision, the applicant's two (2)-year period of healthcare worker service in the District shall be considered part of the applicant's participation in the Program.

12102.5 The contract required by § 12103.4 shall provide the District of Columbia with specific remedies to recoup scholarship funds and supports provided on behalf of a Program participant if a Program participant breaches the contract and shall include the District's general right to enforce the contract in law or equity.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 71 DCR 015078 (December 13, 2024).